WEBVTT AND THE MOST BET-ON EVENT OF THE YEAR. TODD: YES, FOR SOME IT IS A TEMPTATION THAT BRINGS SERIOUS HEALTH RISKS. ACTION 7 NEWS REPORTER BRANDON EVANS JOINS US IN STUDIO TO EXPLAIN. BRANDON: ESPN REPORTS THAT THE NEVADA GAMING BOARD SAW MORE THAN $138 MILLION IN SUPERBOWL BETS IN 2017. NOW WITH SPORTS BETTING LEGAL AT ONE CASINO IN NEW MEXICO, PEOPLE CAN LEGALLY BET ON THE BIG GAME WITHOUT CROSSING STATE LINES. BUT WE’VE LEARNED THAT THIS NEW CONVENIENCE COMES WITH A PRICE. ANNOUNCER: NEW ENGLAND IS HEADED BACK FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR. BRANDON: MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WILL CHANGE HANDS WHEN THE PATRIOTS TAKE ON THE RAMS IN THE SUPERBOWL. WHILE DANIEL BLACKWOOD SAYS THE COMPULSIVE GAMBLING TREATMENT CENTER HE WORKS WITH HASN’T SEEN A NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF SPORTS GAMBLERS SEEKING TREATMENT, BUT HE SAYS NOW THAT THAT NUMBER COULD GO UP NOW THAT SPORTS GAMBLING IS LEGAL IN NEW MEXICO. >> I THINK WE WILL SEE MORE PEOPLE COMING IN FOR THAT ISSUE. RENDON BLACKWOOD SAYS THERE ARE : WAYS TO RECOGNIZE IF YOU OR SOMEONE HAS A SPORTS GAMBLING ADDICTION. >> WE SEE SIGNS OF LOSS OF CONTROL. WE SEE SIGNS OF A PERSON CHASING THEIR LOSSES. BRANDON HE SAYS PEOPLE USING : RENT MONEY, OR MONEY FROM THEIR CHILD’S SAVINGS ACCOUNT ARE OTHER TELL-TALE SIGNS. THE SUPERBOWL IS ONLY DAYS AWAY, BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO SUFFER FROM GAMBLING ADDICTION, THEY MAY FEAR A RELAPSE IS ON IT’S WAY. BUT THERE ARE PLACES YOU CAN GO, LIKE THE EVOLUTION GROUP, FOR HELP. BLACKWOOD SAYS THEIR DATA SHOWS THAT PEOPLE WITH GAMBLING DISORDERS HAVE A HIGHER RATE OF SUICIDE THAN OTHER DISORDERS. THE RESPONSIBLE GAMING ASSOCIATION OF NEW MEXICO SPONSORS A 24 HOUR HELPLINE. BLACKWOOD SAYS PEOPLE SEEKING HELP CAN ALSO GO TO THEIR TREATMENT CENTER ON BROADWAY IN ALBUQUERQUE. GAMBLING ADDICTION AND DEBT OFTEN GO HAND-IN-HAND. BUT BLACKWOOD TELLS ME THEIR TREATMENT PROGRAMS ACCEP

The Super Bowl is often the most watched television event of the year, but for some, it represents a temptation that brings serious health risks.ESPN reports that the Nevada Gaming Board saw more than $138 million in Super Bowl bets in 2017.Now, with sports betting legal at one casino in New Mexico, people can legally bet on the big game without crossing state lines.But KOAT Action 7 News has learned that this new convenience comes with a price.Millions of dollars will change hands when the Patriots take on the Rams in the Super Bowl.While Daniel Blackwood said the Compulsive Gambling Treatment Center he works with hasn't seen a noticeable increase in the number of sports gamblers seeking treatment, he said that number could go up, now that sports gambling is legal in New Mexico.“I think we'll see more people coming in for that issue,” Blackwood said.Blackwood said there are ways to recognize if you or someone you know has a sports gambling addiction.“We see signs of loss of control. We see signs of a person chasing their losses,” Blackwood said.Blackwood said people using rent money or money from their child's savings account are other telltale signs.Blackwood said their data shows that people with gambling disorders have a higher rate of suicide than other disorders.The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico sponsors a 24-hour helpline.Blackwood said people seeking help can also go to their treatment center on Broadway Boulevard in Albuquerque.Gambling addiction and debt often go hand in hand.But Blackwood said their treatment programs accept most health insurance, and for those who don't have health insurance, there are assistance programs available.People can also call 1-888-696-2440 or go to www.gam-anon.org.

The Super Bowl is often the most watched television event of the year, but for some, it represents a temptation that brings serious health risks.

ESPN reports that the Nevada Gaming Board saw more than $138 million in Super Bowl bets in 2017.

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Now, with sports betting legal at one casino in New Mexico, people can legally bet on the big game without crossing state lines.

But KOAT Action 7 News has learned that this new convenience comes with a price.

Millions of dollars will change hands when the Patriots take on the Rams in the Super Bowl.

While Daniel Blackwood said the Compulsive Gambling Treatment Center he works with hasn't seen a noticeable increase in the number of sports gamblers seeking treatment, he said that number could go up, now that sports gambling is legal in New Mexico.

“I think we'll see more people coming in for that issue,” Blackwood said.

Blackwood said there are ways to recognize if you or someone you know has a sports gambling addiction.

“We see signs of loss of control. We see signs of a person chasing their losses,” Blackwood said.

Blackwood said people using rent money or money from their child's savings account are other telltale signs.

Blackwood said their data shows that people with gambling disorders have a higher rate of suicide than other disorders.

The Responsible Gaming Association of New Mexico sponsors a 24-hour helpline.

Blackwood said people seeking help can also go to their treatment center on Broadway Boulevard in Albuquerque.

Gambling addiction and debt often go hand in hand.

But Blackwood said their treatment programs accept most health insurance, and for those who don't have health insurance, there are assistance programs available.